“Yes sir,” LilyAnn said. “That’s a sweet thing for you to do.”

The old man blushed a little and headed back to work while LilyAnn signed the walker out in their rental file, then checked him out.

“Need help carrying anything?” she asked.

“No thanks. I’ve got it,” he said.

“I’ll get the door,” she said.

Duke loaded everything up and then backed away from the curb and headed back up Main Street to Granny’s Country Kitchen.

Lovey Cooper, the owner, greeted him as he entered.

“Morning, Duke! Good to see you.”

“Hi, Lovey. I want to get some food to go. By any chance do you still have some biscuits and sausage gravy from breakfast?”

“Oh sure. That sells all day long. How much do you want? Enough for your family, or just you?”

“I want some for Cathy Terry. She had a fall this morning when she was jogging, and I was thinking she might not have eaten before her run.”

“Oh no! She’s been in a here a few times since her arrival in Blessings. Is she hurt bad?”

“A bad sprain and some bumps and bruises. I don’t think she’ll be cooking for herself for a while.”

“I’ll get you fixed right up, and it won’t take long. Just have a seat.”

Duke sat down on the padded bench in the lobby and then took a deep breath. Yes, he was overdoing it, but that’s how he did everything. When there was a need, he wanted to fill it. When something was wrong, he wanted to fix it. He’d spent his entire life taking care of people, and he didn’t know any other way to be.

And…if he made her feel like he was butting into her business without an invitation, maybe some of Mercy’s biscuits would smooth the way.

He kept glancing at the clock, worrying about being gone so long, when in fact he’d only left her house less than twenty minutes ago. Lovey came back within minutes carrying a large to-go sack.

“Here you go,” she said. “Four biscuits and a pint of sausage gravy. And Elvis was just taking the first batch of fried chicken out of the fryer, so I wrapped up a couple of pieces of chicken and added a pint of mashed potatoes and gravy for her, too.”

“That’s awesome. What do I owe you?” Duke asked.

“Nothing. You’re being such a Good Samaritan and I want to help. You tell her everyone at Granny’s sends their love, and to get well soon.”

Duke smiled. “Thank you, Lovey. You’re the best.”

He settled the sack of food in the front floorboard then drove away. By the time he got back to Cathy’s house, thirty minutes had come and gone.

He got the walker out of the truck bed and carried it to the porch, then went back for the two sacks. He knocked once, and then opened the door.

She had the recliner in full reclining position and her eyes were closed, but he could tell by the pained expression on her face that she wasn’t asleep.